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10 Disappointing Buffet Foods That Never Satisfy & 10 Goodies To Stuff Your Face With


10 Disappointing Buffet Foods That Never Satisfy & 10 Goodies To Stuff Your Face With


The Dos And Don'ts Of Buffet Eating

If you're a fan of buffets, you already know that the food being served always has a chance of being hit or miss. That's because not everything at buffets is prepared equally! Here are 10 disappointing buffet foods that never really leave you wanting more, and 10 surprising goodies you should be stuffing your face with.

File:Chinese buffet2.jpgHtchien on Wikimedia


1. Soggy French Fries

Ah, the classic French fry. A beloved favorite that quickly becomes a disappointment when eaten at a buffet. The crispy freshness that you love so much about this snack is quickly replaced with a soggy, bland texture and flavor the moment you take a bite. Talk about a letdown.

File:Curly fries, Moonstar Buffet.JPGBrokenSphere on Wikimedia

2. Dry Chicken

Chicken, whether it's fried or served as slices, tends to dry out quickly when left out at a buffet. And if you manage to grab yourself a piece that's been sitting for a long time, the pieces aren't just tough and dry, they lose their flavor too. 

File:Fresh Buffet Solaire Soy sauce chicken 23 January 2025 Filipinas6.jpgValenzuela400 on Wikimedia

3. Overcooked Pasta

No one loves soggy and mushy pasta, but unfortunately, that's likely what you're going to get at a buffet. It's quantity over quality here after all! Either completely overcooked or left sitting in warm sauce for too long, the texture is going to be the furthest thing from al dente. 

a table full of foodJessica Tan on Unsplash

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4. Wilted Salad

What's worse than a sad and wilted salad? Salad leaves usually become wilted when left out on a buffet table, and it doesn't help that the dressing is usually pretty watery too. The result? A salad that tastes neither flavorful or refreshing.

File:Circus Circus Reno Buffet.jpgMichael Ocampo on Wikimedia

5. Seafood Dishes

Do you really want to test your stomach with seafood that's been sitting out for hours on end? Seafood is especially tricky to keep fresh and at the right temperature in buffets; some places might just throw them into a massive bowl, leaving customers with rubbery or dry offerings. 

File:Food at the Courtyard Buffet - 2010 05.jpgMichael Ocampo on Wikimedia

6. Desserts with Whipped Cream

For the sweet tooths out there, we know dessert is always an exciting ending to any buffet adventure. With so many different options to pick from, you can't help but sample a bit of everything. Unfortunately, many of the goodies being offered are usually topped with whipped cream, which starts to melt or deflate after being left out for so long. Not so appetizing anymore, are they?

File:DSC00631 The Buffet at Bellagio.jpgKat Kellner on Wikimedia

7. Stale Bread Rolls

While warm, fresh bread is delicious, bread rolls that are hard and stale are anything but that. When left out for too long, breads at buffets have a tendency to become tough and unappetizing. No longer soft and fluffy, is there anything appealing about them?

File:Bread platter in buffet restaurant.jpgGeoffreyrabbit on Wikimedia

8. Cold Pizza

Pizza is everyone's favorite, but at a buffet, your love for them might die down pretty quickly. Whether it's the bready dough, poor ratio of toppings, or its rubbery cheese, buffet pizzas usually just don't hit the same.

File:Food at the Courtyard Buffet - 2010 04.jpgMichael Ocampo on Wikimedia

9. Flavorless Vegetables

With steamed vegetables lacking any sense of flavor and salad veggies feeling anything but fresh, trying to eat healthy at buffets feels especially difficult when they all taste so bland and boring. They're lacking the crisp textures and good seasoning that makes them enjoyable to eat.

File:Vegetables at breakfast buffet at Quality Hotel Grand Borås.jpgJIP on Wikimedia

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10. Generic Asian Dishes

Asian cuisine at buffets is often a hit or miss. Sometimes all it takes is just one good look - when they're covered in oil, you know you're in for an unsatisfyingly greasy dish that you won't go back for seconds to. Sadly, these dishes are made not for taste, but for convenience and popularity. 

File:Super China Buffet - November 2023 - Sarah Stierch 06.jpgMissvain on Wikimedia

1. Freshly Made Omelets

If you're lucky enough, you might be at a buffet that offers a live omelette station where you can choose your ingredients and build a custom-made breakfast. Because they're made fresh, hot, and tailored to your taste, it's hard to go wrong!

File:下田海浜ホテル (46737378051).jpginunami on Wikimedia

2. Carving Station Meats

Every buffet customer's eyes always lights up when they pass by the carving stations. Offering delightful freshly sliced meats like roast beef, turkey, or ham, these cuts tend to be much more juicy than their "left in the tray" counterparts. If one thing's for sure, meat lovers won't be going home hungry. 

raw meat on traySJ 📸 on Unsplash

3. Custom Stir-fry

Again, custom options at buffets are always the best because they're served hot and fresh to order! So if you come across a stir-fry station, definitely don't miss the opportunity to have your customized order prepared by the chef. The personalized touch really gives it an extra delicious touch. 

File:Cuisine of India by ArmAg (3).jpgArmineaghayan on Wikimedia

4. Gourmet Cheese Selection

You should definitely load up on the expensive foods if you're at a buffet. Not only are fine cheeses delicious when paired with nuts, fruits, and crackers, they're a simple treat that will definitely make your trip worth the money.

File:Cheese platter at buffet in original.jpgGeoffreyrabbit on Wikimedia

5. Freshly Baked Bread

When baked fresh, the aroma and taste of freshly made bread is unmatched. Some buffets might offer customers an entire range of artisan breads, ones that aren't stale and are still soft and fluffy on the inside.

File:Rye bread Fresh Buffet Solaire 23 January 2025 Filipinas6.jpgValenzuela400 on Wikimedia

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6. Seafood on Ice

When done right, seafood at a buffet is the greatest bang for your buck. Buffets that offer chilled seafood, like shrimp cocktail, oysters, or crab legs, provide a refreshing and delicious option. When they really put in the effort, the cold temperature helps keep these items fresh and flavorful, giving customers high quality for cheap.

File:HK TST East 九龍香格里拉酒店 Kln Shangri-La Hotel buffet food seafood lobster May 2016.jpgComboparwai on Wikimedia

7. International Cuisine Specialties

The next time you're at a buffet, trying skipping the fried chicken and pizza for some more unique foods! Dishes that are part of the buffet's theme, like authentic Indian curries or Mexican tacos made to order, can be surprisingly good. A lot more time and effort are typically put into whipping up these dishes. 

File:Indian buffet - Cambridge, MA.jpgDaderot on Wikimedia

8. Grilled Vegetables

Avoid the steamed vegetables and gravitate towards the grilled options - these vegetables with a slight char will surprise you. Not only are they a healthy option that you can chow down on without feeling heavy, this cooking method ensures they have a better taste and texture.

File:VeG PlAttEr.jpgDEEPTI BALAJI6570 on Wikimedia

9. Signature Desserts

Artificial Jell-O, box puddings, and premade cakes are nothing to get excited over, but if you see any signature desserts made in-house, like crème brûlée, fresh fruit tarts, or chocolate mousse, it's time to go crazy. These desserts often receive extra care and stand out for their quality.

File:Bacchanal Buffet at Caesars Palace.jpgkennejima on Wikimedia

10. Soup of the Day

A well-made soup can be a comforting and delicious choice. Buffets that offer a "soup of the day" typically prepare it fresh and can be a surprisingly delicious find amidst all the other food options. No need to get overwhelmed; go simple and try the soup! 

File:Broccoli soup Fresh Buffet Solaire 23 January 2025 Filipinas17.jpgValenzuela400 on Wikimedia